Foldable container



May 17, 1938. s. REICH FOLDABLE CONTAINER Filed Feb. 21, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR rSa muel flez'ch ATTORNEY.

May 17, 1938. s, RElcH 2,117,502

FOLDABLE CONTAINER Filed Feb. 21, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVIENTOR. samuel dfez, ch

BY g) ATTORNEY.

Patented 17,1938

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to foldable containers with special reference to types made from a single blank of sheet material, and adapted to be carried by hand.

An object of the invention is to provide a strong, lightweight container, constructed of inexpensive material, capable of opening to the full extent, and when closed prevent the entrance of rain or snow.

A further feature is in the provision of a blank sheared and creased to fold into a container of pleasing appearance, suited to receive and safely secure whatever contents may be desired, .up to capacity limit.

Another purpose is in the production of a collapsible handle adapted to be securely engaged in such manner as to equally distribute the weight of the container and its contents, and which can be removed at will.

These and other advantageous purposes, which will be recognized as the description proceeds, are accomplished by the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, constituting an essential component of this disclosure, and in which:-

Figure 1 is a plan view of the container blank as sheared and scored ready for erection.

Figure 2 is a similar view of the handle blank.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the handle as folded, reenforced and ready for insertion.

. Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the left-hand, front corner, and handle-carrying portion of the device as partially folded.

Figure 5 is a similar perspective view of the opposite corner, showing the folding operation completed and the handle initially; entered into its engaging loop.

Figure 6 is a like view of the same, the handle being shown as fully engaged.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the container in an open position.

Figure 8 is a similar view showing the container closed and handle extended for use.

Fig'tre 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 9--9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the container front wall and handle, taken on line Ill-I of Figure '7.

Figure 11 is a transverse sectional view taken on line ll-l| of Figure 7.

In Figure 1 an elongated rectangular blank is indicated as having been die cut from any preferred sheet material, as cardboard of the requi- 55 site thickness and strength, to produce two container end elements |--|6 along its respective side edges.

These elements are limited in width by scored lines |92|| which determine the height of the container end walls, and hence the thickness or width of the container.

The outer corners 2|-22 of these pairs of end elements present sharp right-angles, while their adjacent inner corners 2324 are curved, the intervening space being limited by inset edges extending from the body of the blank.

Intermediate the length of the blank is a transverse element 26, bounded at its ends by the scored lines |9--20, and at its sides by scored lines 2l--28, on the other sides of which are the main side elements 3|l-3| of the container.

Angularly disposed score lines 32--33 extend from the junctions |9-2'|, and Ill-2B to the ends of the inset edges |'||8 respectively, to permit bending.

Opposite the square corners of the end elements |5-l6 are shear cuts 34 extending from points midway the width of these elements, at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the score lines |920.

Other shear cuts 35 are made in the ends of the main side elements 3ll-3l, extending into the side elements at angles of approximately 90 degrees with the cuts 34, forming angular grooves in the ends of the blank, and score lines 36 extend from the inner ends of these cuts, to the longitudinal score lines |9-20.

The outer edge of the main side element 3| contains a shallow longitudinal recess 31, inwardly of which is a bar 38 of corresponding length, separated by a shear cut 39 from the main portion of the element 3|, triangular openings 40 reaching from the shear cut into the body of the blank, and having between them a tongue 4|.

In the opposite side element 30 are two pairs of opposed slits 4243, respectively inner and outer, arranged in a row contiguous to the outer edge of the blank and having between each pair looplike members 44, the slits 42 having diverging terminals 45 and the slits 43 having converging terminals 45.

outwardly beyond the slits 42-43 is a score line 46 extending from the points of intersection of the shear cuts 34-35 and a similar score line 41 extends from corresponding points in the blank 3|.

A second row of score lines 48 is formed paiallel to the line 46, at a distance equivalent to the'width of theside elements |5|6, and correspondingly, a similar row of score lines 89 is formed in the side member 3|, the elongated elements 50 and 5| respectively, constituting the upper sides of the container, while further out beyond the lines 46&l1 are edge elements 52-53.

The handle, shown in Figures 2 and-3 in detail, consists of a blank having straight longitudinal edges, one being reduced in length at both ends.

Score lines 54 extend lengthwise the blank, at equal distances from these edges, having between them the main handle bar element 55, adjacent the reenforcing bar elements 56-51.

The ends 58 of the bar element 55 are enlarged in width, their outer corners being rounded and the side edge, next to the bar 56, having a shear cut 59, the other edge extending to the ends of the bar 51, both ends having shear cuts 60 leading angularly outward to the score lines 5354.

When the handle is completely formed, the bar 51 is bent on the line 54 and the bar 56 turned thereover on the line 53 thus doubly reenforcing the handle, these several bars being secured by an adhesive, and further fastened by a central longitudinal row of stitches 6|, while the ends or heads of the bar present pairs of barbs 62 for a purpose further on evident.

In assembling the container elements, the sides |5 |6 are bent upward at right-angles, on the lines I920 to the top and bottom members 30-3l, which are folded on the lines 2128 at the side edges of the end element 26.

The narrow outer portions 5253 of the members 303l are bent on the lines 4641 into juxtaposition, producing smoothly rounded upper edges and having between them the end portions of the side elements, which eventually may be rigidly secured by rivets 65.

The completed handle has its ends 58 entered through the cuts 42, below the loops 44 and outwardly past the cuts 43, in which position it may be extended at full length, flat against the outer front container element 50, or its central portion may be drawn outwardly, as best seen in Figure 10.

In this latter position the handle end barbs 62 engage the slits 45 in a, manner to normally prevent removal of the handle.

When closing the container the curved inner ends 23-44 of the side members fold on the lines 32-33, the side elements l5 overlying the corresponding elements l6 and the front elements 5| enclosing the corresponding element 50.

The tongue M is bent outwardly to permit the handle 55 to extend through the space between the cut-outs 616 and eventually bent inwardly, covering the space as best seen in Figure 8.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that a strongly constructed container has been disclosed in the best known form of its embodiment, without reference to size or proportions, which, like minor modifications, fall within the tenor and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and sought to secure by Letters Patent, is:-

1. A rectangular container comprising a-blank having a relatively foldable bottom, side and end walls and top closures, said end walls and closures being superposed when the container is closed, one of said closures having two spaced pairs of transverse slits having respectively angularly converging and diverging terminals and the other presenting an opening, a flexible tongue extending into the opening, and a handle having enlarged heads having barbed ends to pass through the mentioned slits to engage the angularly converging and diverging terminals thereof, said handle being accessible through the opening in the mating closure when the container is closed, the opening being concealed by said tongue.

2. In a container made of sheet material including a body having opposed closures movable into superposed relation, one of said closures having two spaced pairs of transverse slits presenting a raised loop between each pair, the slits having respectively angular converging and diverging terminals, the other closure having a central rectangular opening and a flexible tongue partially filling the opening, a handle formed of a plurality of bars folded one over another and secured along their longitudinal median line, heads on said handle enlarged equally at both edges of said bars, said heads adapted to pass through the mentioned slits below said loops, and barbs on the inner ends of said enlarged heads adapted to interengage the angular ends of the mentioned slits, the bight of the handle bars passing through the mentioned opening in the mating closure, over said tongue when the container is closed, said bars being slidable below said loops when the handle is extended flat at full length.

SAMUEL REICH. 

